Date: 08/24/2000 11:12 AM
Subject: S7-13-00
As a practicing CPA who received my certificate in 1983 and who has been a
member of the AICPA for more than 15 years I would like to strongly
recommend passage of the proposed rules limiting the range of non-audit
services that accouting firms that perform SEC audits can offer. I have
become more and more distressed by the increased emphasis that many
accounting firms are placing on non-audit services and the affect that this
change has had on auditor independence. The proposed rules are a very good
first step in returning auditors to the tradition of independence that was
the standard when I started in the profession.
I would refer you to pages 17 and 63 of the August 12-18, 2000 issue of the
magazine The Economist for a very coherent commentary and analysis of this
issue.
I would also refer you to page 1 of the August 21, 2000 Wall Street Journal
for an article regarding PricewaterhouseCoopers marketing of tax shelters.
This is an example of the change of focus of some accounting firms that I
believe will even further damage the reputation of my profession if allowed
to continue.
This letter reflects my personal opinion and does necessarily not reflect
the opinion of the firm that I work for.
D. Leon Taylor, CPA
6780 SW 153rd
Beaverton, OR 97007